Campus Notices
Faculty and Instructional staff are invited to drop by the new multi-purpose Teaching and Learning space for the E-Learning Office and Teaching and Learning Centre in Room 230 in the Robertson Library between 12:30 and 1:30 on Wednesday Oct. 13 and Thursday Oct. 14. We have some special surprises for folks who stop in!
Speaker: Dr. Primitivo B. Acosta-Humánez
Invited Researcher, Instituto de Matemática
Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo
Title: Liouvillian solutions for Schrödinger equations with Laurent polynomial potentials
Abstract: This talk is devoted to a parametric study of Liouvillian solutions of Schrödinger equation with Laurent polynomial coefficients. This family of equations, for fixed orders at 0 and ∞ of the Laurent polynomial, is seen as an affine algebraic variety. We prove that the set of Picard-Vessiot integrable differential equations in the family is an enumerable union of algebraic subvarieties. We compute explicitly the algebraic equations of its components. Techniques include a combination of Kovacic Algorithm and Asymptotic Iteration Method (AIM). We give some applications to well known subfamilies as the doubly confluent and biconfluent Heun equations, and to the theory of algebraically solvable potentials of Shrödinger equations. Also, as an auxiliary tool, we improve a previously known criterion for second order linear differential equations to admit a polynomial solution. This is joint work with D. Blázquez-Sanz and H. Venegas-Gómez and is based on a paper recently accepted for publication in Journal of Symbolic Computation (see also https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11795)
https://zoom.us/j/97342598765?pwd=SzNxOU0za1I4RmdSRFh0STlKN0NtUT09
The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre will be offering the following clinics for students, faculty, staff and immediate family members at McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre:
FLU/COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics:
November 2, 2021 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
November 3, 2021 from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
November 4, 2021 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Note: New guidelines from NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) have been released that report both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines may be received at the same time. Consequently, we will provide the COVID-19 Vaccine to partially or unvaccinated people with the November Flu clinics. For more information on these guidelines visit the following link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci/recommendations-use-covid-19-vaccines/summary-updates-september-28-2021.html
Please bring your provincial health card or proof of your UPEI international insurance and UPEI student/staff/faculty ID.
STAFF & FACULTY - Register now for an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Orientation Webinar
Our EFAP provider, LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell, has created orientation webinars for any Employee, Faculty member, and their dependents that want to know more about how their UPEI EFAP benefits work. These general overview sessions are offered in both English and French at no cost to participants.
2021 dates offered: January 27, February 18, March 24, April 15, May 26, June 23, July 15, and October 14.
To register
- Click this link to view the brochure.
- Choose the best date (please note the time zone is listed in EST).
- Click the date to open the registration window.
- You will receive an email confirmation that has the log-in and call-in details.
EFAP offers a short-term, solution-focused approach to professional counselling to assist you in resolving your concerns and issues. EFAP provides counselling that best suits your needs and busy schedules, whether it is in person, by telephone, or online [E-Counselling], as well as immediate help with crises. In addition to professional counseling, employees and their eligible family members can access a wide range of programs that provide telephonic consultation with qualified advisors who can help answer questions and clarify concerns that affect us all. Services include Legal, Financial, Family, and Nutritional.
For EFAP Counselling, WorkLife Programs, and Information Services 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 days a year, call:
English: 1-844-880-9142 Visit: www.workhealthlife.com
More information on the UPEI EFAP benefit can be found on the MyUPEI website here.
When you're not in your seat, Ctrl + Alt + Del
Get into the habit of locking your computer when you leave your desk. Its a simple and easy way to protect yourself.
October is Cyber Safety month, and ITSS will be giving away some Apple gift cards. If you email itss@upei.ca and tell me you are CYBER SAFE, you'll be entered into the draw. Good luck!
The Institute of Island Studies is embarking on a four-year study to better understand and assess the well-being and quality of life of Islanders. We would like you to be part of the initiative! Click on the survey link below to share your thoughts on how island communities could be better places to live, work and play.
The survey is open until October 22, 2021. http://islandstudies.com/research/pei-well-being-project/
For more information, contact Phil Davison at the Institute of Island Studies (pdavison@upei.ca).
UPEI Experiential Education is hosting an information session on Wednesday, October 13th from 1-2pm (ADT) for UPEI faculty to learn about Riipen.
Riipen is an online platform that connects faculty and students to industry and community partners to enable meaningful work-integrated learning, including project-based and internship-style opportunities. The platform allows faculty to frame projects to suit their course needs, and is free to use for all UPEI faculty.
Visit https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89305908714 to register.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies is hosting an online UPEI Graduate Studies and Research Conference on Wednesday, October 13th and the morning of October 14th.
Please join in for the presentations and learn about Graduate Research at UPEI.
Support our graduate students.
For zoom links; schedule and abstract booklet.
Please contact Colleen Gallant at cgallant@upei.ca and she will send you the links etc.
3M NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWSHIP
The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education is happy to announce the Call for Nominations for the 2022 3M National Teaching Fellowship, including revised guidelines and application package. This prestigious Fellowship, now in its 36th year, is open to all Canadian university and college educators, regardless of discipline or level of appointment. Every year, up to 10 Fellowships are awarded. The awards recognize exceptional faculty who, in addition to demonstrating exemplary teaching, also encourage exemplary teaching in others through educational innovation. The call for nominations with information on award eligibility, criteria and submission procedures can be found at https://www.stlhe.ca/awards/3m-national-teachingfellowship/.
2022 D2L INNOVATION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING AWARD
The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education is excited to announce that the 2022 D2L Innovation in Teaching and Learning Award will be awarded to 5 Teams in recognition of the significant changes to how we have designed, taught, and used innovative educational approaches during the pandemic. For complete details on award eligibility, criteria and submission procedures see the STLHE website at https://www.stlhe.ca/awards/d2l-innovation-award-in-teaching-and-learning/
Mark your calendar for this upcoming event. Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek (co-editor of Decolonizing and Indigenizing Education in Canada and Vice-President Equity, People and Culture at York University) will be giving a book talk on October 15 at 2:00 pm. This event will have a follow-up book club facilitated by Dr. Sherry Pictou (First female District Chief for the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq and Assistant Professor in the Faculties of Law and Management, Dalhousie University). These events are being hosted jointly between Mount Saint Vincent University, Saint Mary's University and Dalhousie University, and are open to all educators at AAU institutions.
For more details and to register, check out these posters for Dr. Cote-Meek's Book Talk and the follow-up Educators' Book Club or email the Teaching and Learning Centre TLC@upei.ca
The Concussion Awareness Program invites you to participate in our survey to better understand how we can improve the care of concussed children and young adults on PEI. This study is being led by the Concussion Awareness Program (CAP) located here at UPEI.
The goal of the CAP is to increase public awareness related to concussion injury including the steps and protocols that facilitate recovery. The findings from this survey will help us refine our strategic plan.
The survey will take approximately 30 minutes with open-ended, ranking, and classifying questions. If interested, please contact cbeck8805@upei.ca or call 902-628-4300.
PhD Defence for Ahmad Abd-El-Aziz, PhD Environmental Sciences
Wednesday, October 13th, 10:00 AM in the Health Sciences Building Room 106 or by web conference
Title: Proteomic Evidence for a Plausible Epigenetic Effect on Equine Cell Differentiation Under Heat Stress
Abstract:
To learn about the potential effects of extreme heat, which can be a consequence of climate change, the effects of heat as a proxy for climate stress on a cell’s gene expression were investigated. In particular, the aim of this thesis was to determine the impact of heat stress on cell differentiation in an equine stem cell model through the outcome of heat stress on the proteome, which is the complete set of proteins expressed by an organism. The proteins identified could then be used to ascertain whether new biomarkers of chronic heat stress will emerge or whether we will identify potential targets for future treatment.
Proteomic analysis was performed using mass spectrometry to compare relative protein abundances among three cell types, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), osteoblasts, and adipocytes, cultured at two temperatures, 37°C and 42°C. The survival of the cells was validated using cell staining and observation of the cellular differentiation process and the heat stress was validated by Western Blotting, using an anti-Hsp90 antibody to quantify Hsp90 elevation in response to elevated cell culture temperature. All cell lines survived at 42°C, and all showed a higher level of HSP90 expression as well, showing that cell culture at 42°C had a physiological effect on the cells. Furthermore, not only were the proteins’ relative abundances dependent on cell type and the application of heat stress individually, but many proteins only differed in relative abundance among the three cell types when cultured at different temperatures, showing a cell type-specific response to heat stress. Many of these proteins were involved in cell-signalling pathways such as Notch and Wnt signalling, which are known to regulate cell development in vitro and embryonic development in vivo. If the effects on the proteome were a result of epigenetic mechanisms, then the altered proteome during differentiation may have long-term effects.
Future research is required to investigate the potential epigenetic changes in these cells, such as changes in DNA methylation in select genes. This cell-culture model of cell differentiation could also be applied to test the impact of other forms of stress, such as inflammatory stress caused by biological mediators, on cell development, or on other cell lines, such as human cells
In-person attendance is welcome with masks required. Members of the UPEI community and the general public are welcome. Seating is limited. If attending via the web is preferred, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator at gsc@upei.ca for the web link to the web conference.
UPEI Experiential Education is hosting an information session on Wednesday, October 13th from 1-2pm (ADT) for UPEI faculty to learn about Riipen.
Riipen is an online platform that connects faculty and students to industry and community partners to enable meaningful work-integrated learning, including project-based and internship-style opportunities. The platform allows faculty to frame projects to suit their course needs, and is free to use for all UPEI faculty.
Visit https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89305908714 to register.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies is hosting an online UPEI Graduate Studies and Research Conference on Wednesday, October 13th and the morning of October 14th.
Please join in for the presentations and learn about Graduate Research at UPEI.
Support our graduate students.
For zoom links; schedule and abstract booklet.
Please contact Colleen Gallant at cgallant@upei.ca and she will send you the links etc.
UPEI is improving the security of your account and your data by introducing multi-factor authentication for all faculty and staff, effective November 3, 2021. MFA protects UPEI systems and data—your data!
MFA is an electronic authentication method in which a user is granted access to a website or application only after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence (or factors) to an authentication mechanism. MFA prevents a security breach by an unauthorized third party that may have been able to discover, for example, a single password.
How does MFA impact me? On November 3, MFA will be required for faculty and staff to access many UPEI applications and services, including Outlook email, Google Drive, and the myUPEI portal. Once MFA is enabled at UPEI, you will continue to sign-in to MFA protected apps and services using your UPEI email address and password, just like you do today. However, there will be one additional step such as responding to an app notification on your mobile device or an automated phone call or entering a secret code.
What do I need to do? You will need to setup MFA on your UPEI account prior to November 3, 2021. Instructions on how to setup MFA can be found at go.upei.ca/M365.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! IT Systems and Services will provide further information throughout October to create cybersecurity awareness and provide how-to instructions to make your MFA registration simple.
Learn more at go.upei.ca/M365
We can help you promote it!
November is Career Month in Canada. The UPEI Career Services Office will be promoting several events throughout the month of November, and will be showcasing these events on our Career Month calendar.
If you are planning any employment or career-related events for the month of November, please let us know and we will feature the event on the Career Month calendar.
Send your event details to careerservices@upei.ca or call 902-566-0336
Keep an eye on Campus Notices for the announcement of the 2021 Career Month calendar, which will be released in the coming weeks!
The deadline for Animal Care Protocol Submissions (new, renewal, or amendment) is Friday, November 5th for the November meeting.
Please note that as of June 1, 2020 all animal user protocols must be submitted through UPEI Researcher Portal at https://upei.researchservicesoffice.com/Romeo.Researcher/
For new protocols select ‘applications’ and for renewal or amendment protocols select ‘events’.
To view any UPEI ACC SOPs and Codes of Practice, they can be accessed through myUPEI at https://portal.upei.ca/facultystaff/administrativeservices/AVCAnimalCare/Pages/default.aspx.
Those protocols received after the deadline will be reviewed the following month. The Committee requires at least one month for processing applications.
TODAY is the last day to submit the Study & Stay PEI program application!
If you’re an international student in your final year of study at UPEI, don’t miss out on this opportunity — participate in Study & Stay PEI 2021-2022 cohort, you will have opportunities to learn and practice soft skills that needed in the workplace, as well as the opportunity to network with potential employers!
Just have a look at the stories of former participants (Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ Program Alumni). These successful stories will help inspire you to take a few minutes and apply: http://studypei.ca/.
For application assistance, email studyandstaypei@upei.ca or visit UPEI Robertson Library Room 225 on weekdays anytime between 10 am - 12 pm or 1 pm - 3 pm.
UPEI is improving the security of your account and your data by introducing multi-factor authentication for all faculty and staff, effective November 3, 2021. MFA protects UPEI systems and data—your data!
MFA is an electronic authentication method in which a user is granted access to a website or application only after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence (or factors) to an authentication mechanism. MFA prevents a security breach by an unauthorized third party that may have been able to discover, for example, a single password.
How does MFA impact me? On November 3, MFA will be required for faculty and staff to access many UPEI applications and services, including Outlook email, Google Drive, and the myUPEI portal. Once MFA is enabled at UPEI, you will continue to sign-in to MFA protected apps and services using your UPEI email address and password, just like you do today. However, there will be one additional step such as responding to an app notification on your mobile device or an automated phone call or entering a secret code.
What do I need to do? You will need to setup MFA on your UPEI account prior to November 3, 2021. Instructions on how to setup MFA can be found at go.upei.ca/M365.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! IT Systems and Services will provide further information throughout October to create cybersecurity awareness and provide how-to instructions to make your MFA registration simple.
Learn more at go.upei.ca/M365
We can help you promote it!
November is Career Month in Canada. The UPEI Career Services Office will be promoting several events throughout the month of November, and will be showcasing these events on our Career Month calendar.
If you are planning any employment or career-related events for the month of November, please let us know and we will feature the event on the Career Month calendar.
Send your event details to careerservices@upei.ca or call 902-566-0336
Keep an eye on Campus Notices for the announcement of the 2021 Career Month calendar, which will be released in the coming weeks!
